A comparative quality evaluation of Point of care methodology for testing Hemoglobin in Blood Donors by two different technologies

ABSTRACT Background Blood donor hemoglobin (Hb) estimation is an important pre donation screening test. It serves the dual purpose of protecting the donors’ health against anemia and ensuring good quality of blood components, which has an implication on recipients’ health. Materials and Methods We have estimated Hb screening using three analyzer - DiaSpect Tm, AccuSure Hb (Model HB101) and Sysmex XP100 Cell counter. Hb test was measured in venous blood samples by DiaSpect Tm, AccuSure Hb (Model HB 101) and Sysmex XP 100 Cell counter. Results Donor Hb test determination showed lower sensitivity in AccuSure Hb (Model HB 101) in comparison to DiaSpect Tm analyzer. Despite the availability of various tests, no single technique has emerged as the most suitable for hemoglobin screening in blood donors. Notwithstanding a tremendous evolution in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cost, a component of inherent variability persists, which may partly be attributed to pre-analytical variables. Conclusion Our finding shows the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy value of DiaSpect Tm was higher than AccuSure Hb (Model HB 101). DiaSpect Tm seems to be more appropriate for venous blood Hb measurement in donors as a point of care testing methodology.